In what U.S. officials are calling the most significant romance fraud takedown involving Ghanaian nationals, American authorities have unsealed multiple indictments that expose a sophisticated international scam ring defrauding elderly citizens out of millions.
The U.S. Department of Justice, marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, revealed three major indictments linked to a decade-long criminal enterprise that spanned continents, preyed on vulnerable seniors, and was orchestrated in part from Ghana.
At the heart of the crackdown is Ghanaian national Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, widely known as Dada Joe Remix. According to an indictment filed in the District of Arizona, Boateng was part of an elaborate scheme between 2013 and 2023 that convinced elderly victims they were heirs to gold and gemstones—but first had to pay bogus “release” fees and taxes to claim their inheritance.
Boateng was arrested in Ghana on May 28, 2025, and is awaiting extradition to the U.S., where he faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. The FBI is leading the investigation.
In a sweeping, parallel case unsealed in Ohio on June 4, U.S. prosecutors named five other individuals—Dwayne Asafo Adjei, David Onyinye Abuanekwu, Nancy Adom, Eric Aidoo, and Nader Wasif—who allegedly operated romance scams between 2017 and 2024. These scams often began as online relationships and evolved into deceitful ploys to drain victims’ finances.
Authorities say the group laundered illicit proceeds across borders, funneling funds to partners in Ghana and other countries.
Another indictment unsealed on May 13 in Ohio includes Otuo Amponsah, Anna Amponsah, Hannah Adom, Portia Joe, Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, and again, Dwayne Asafo Adjei, already named in the previous case. They allegedly used similar tactics—feigned relationships, fake business promises, and falsified wealth claims—to rob elderly individuals of their life savings.
“These defendants exploited emotional vulnerabilities to steal hard-earned money from our most trusting citizens,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We are determined to dismantle these transnational crime rings and bring their members to justice.”
All cases were investigated by the FBI and form part of a larger federal initiative to combat elder-targeted financial crimes. Prosecutors say the schemes often originated on dating apps or social media platforms, with scammers weaving convincing tales of love, wealth, and opportunity—only to leave victims emotionally devastated and financially ruined.
While the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, U.S. officials have confirmed that extradition processes are underway and that collaboration with foreign governments, especially Ghana’s, remains key in dismantling these criminal syndicates.
The Justice Department warned that romance fraud is one of the fastest-growing forms of elder exploitation, with international links becoming more entrenched by the year.
“This is not just a case of online deception,” the DOJ emphasized. “It’s organized, calculated, and criminal—and we’re coming for every last member of the syndicate.”
